Welcome to Israel! Arrive, be met and assisted at Ben Gurion airport, then transfer to the Hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel’s most cosmopolitan city. Relax in the hotel or walk along the promenade, enjoying the Mediterranean Sea breeze and this hype city’s vibe.
Evening: Meet your guide and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at the Hotel.

Overnight:  Tel Aviv

After a delicious Israeli buffet breakfast at the hotel, drive to Old Jaffa, one of the oldest cities in the world. Learn of Jonah and the whale and see the entrance to the House of Simon the Tanner. Then explore the reconstructed Artists/ Quarter with its galleries and boutiques. Drive to Neot- Kedumim Biblical Botanical Gardens, a “living museum” that recreates the physical setting of the Bible, in all its depth and detail. Return to Tel Aviv. Tour the colorful and lively Shuk Ha Carmel – the Carmel Market, the largest outdoor market in Tel Aviv. It’s a vibrant marketplace where traders sell everything from clothing to spices, fruit to household items. Continue to nearby Tel-Aviv’s popular Nachalat Benyamin, a pedestrian street boasting fine Arts and Crafts with a colourful variety of hand-made products and performing artists, making this a lively venue in the heart of Tel Aviv. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight explore the city and have dinner on your own possibly in the Tel Aviv Port a short walk from the hotel.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Drive to Caesarea Maritima, the “Dream by the Sea” built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BCE in honour of Augustus Caesar. Enjoy a tour of the rich remains: Including the 2,000-year-old Herodian/Roman Theater, Herod’s palace, Herod’s harbor and the Crusader fortress – all will be brought to life in a striking, unique multi-media presentation. Continue to Haifa. View the famous Baha’i Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often described as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Continue to ancient Acre, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of the Crusader Port and walled Old City. Acre was also an Ottoman citadel, boasting well preserved mosques, colourful Khans (Inns), and bathhouses. Continue across the Galilee to the hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight: Galilee

After breakfast start the day visiting the Yigael Alon museum housing the ancient boat from the time of Jesus found in the Sea of Galilee by fishermen from Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar. Then enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Drive to Kfar Nahum, Capernaum, to visit the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee and site of many of his miracles, including the remains of Peter’s house and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped. Continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the famous “Sermon On the Mount”. Drive north, along the Jordan Valley to Tel Dan one of the most important Biblical archaeological sites of ancient Israel, that has seen many layers of habitation over the course of some 6000 years. Proceed to and visit Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River, known in Jesus’ day as Caesarea Philippi. End the day kayaking in the Jordan River and dare the 300-foot long zip-line, ending with a splash in the Jordan River. Return to the hotel for Dinner.

Overnight: Galilee

Following breakfast, check-out of the hotel. Travel to Nazareth where Jesus spent his childhood and visit the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to Kfar Kedem, for a hands-on experience that recreates day-to-day life of this ancient land and will transport you back to Abraham’s day. You will be given robes and head coverings (made in the style of ancient Israel) and be shown how to make bread, cheese, wine, and olive oil using ancient techniques while commentary will provide historical and spiritual insight into the ancient world of the Old testament. Drive through the Jordan Valley, to Beit Shean, to visit the ancient Tel, where the body of King Saul and his sons were nailed to the walls by the Philistines. Enjoy the splendor of the incredible extensive excavations at Beit Shean later known as Scythopolis. Including – the Roman theatre, colonnaded Roman streets, Roman mosaics and Roman bath houses. Continue south along the lush Jordan Valley, through the homeland of the Prophet Elisha. Then ascend through the Judean Wilderness to Jerusalem the Holy City. Enjoy a special Shabbat dinner in the hotel.

Overnight: Jerusalem.

After breakfast, start the day at the Mount of Olives, for a panoramic view of Jerusalem, Old and New. Walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane at the Church of All Nations. Then drive across the Kidron Valley, past the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James to Mt Zion to visit the traditional site of the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper) and the Tomb of King David. Enter the Old City at Zion Gate walking through the Suk – the colourful market place with its bazaars, and winding alleyways. Continue via the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – for a brief visit. End the day in Bethlehem, visiting the Church of the Nativity, birthplace of Jesus. In the evening on your own enjoy the Mammilla (outdoor mall) where you can shop and have dinner.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Following breakfast, drive to the City of David to see the remains of Jerusalem from the time of King David. Walk in the water through King Hezekiah tunnel, built in the 7^th century BCE, from the Gihon spring to the Pool of Siloam.  Continue to the Davidson Center where with the state of art technology and film one learns what the Temple Mount was like from the time of the Second Temple and in Jesus’ day. Then visit the extensive impressive Southern Wall Excavations which include walls from the time of King Herod. Walk on the same steps Jesus walked on going up to the Temple. Proceed to visit the adjacent Western Wall, an important Jewish prayer area. Then tour the Western Wall Tunnels to witness the unique excavations (underground) along the full length of the Western Wall of the Temple Mt. End the day at the Machane Yehuda Market and immerse yourself in the bustling energy of Jerusalem’s Shuk (outdoor Market). Enjoy the many local vendors selling delicious cheeses, pastries, spices, nuts and so much more. Taste Halva, ice cream and fresh fruit juices.   Return to your hotel. In the evening after dinner enjoy the “Night Spectacular Sound & Light Show” at the Citadel Museum.

Overnight:  Jerusalem

Following breakfast at the hotel, descend through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Stop at Masada. Ascend/descend by Cable Car to visit the ancient fortress that King Herod built in this remote spot. Later the last stronghold of the Zealots who chose death rather than surrendering to the Roman Legion in the Jewish Revolt against Rome some 2000 years ago. Tour to include Herod’s Palace, the synagogue, the bathhouse, the water system and the fascinating storage rooms. Drive to the Dead Sea for an unforgettable dip at the Dead Sea; float in the therapeutic mineral-rich waters – “you cannot sink!!” Proceed to Ein Gedi for a hike through this beautiful oasis to the spectacular waterfalls—a perfect family day to remember. On the way back to Jerusalem stop at Genesis Land a magical place. Meet Eliezer, Abraham’s manservant, of biblical times. Then ride Camels down to Abraham’s tent where you experience his legendary hospitality and enjoy a dinner feast.

Overnight:  Jerusalem.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then, take a short drive to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest manuscripts of the Bible ever found, and the Model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple Period. Continue to Yad Vashem Museum & Memorial of the Shoah the Holocaust! Situated on the green slopes of Har HaZikaron (“Mount of Remembrance”), the museum tells the story of the Shoah from a unique perspective by emphasizing the experiences of Jewish victims and survivors using original artifacts, testimonies, and personal possessions. Tour this sprawling complex. Visit the Grove of the Righteous among the Nations and the Children’s Memorial. Take part in a special “Yizkor” (memorial service) in Bikat Ha Kehilot (The Valley of Communities). A special program will be provided for children (accompanied by one parent). The rest of the day is at leisure with time for shopping or to relax at the hotel’s rooftop pool. In the evening consider exploring Nahalat Yitshak or the “Tachana” (Station) where you can witness street entertainment and have dinner in one of the many fine restaurants.

Overnight: Jerusalem

Following breakfast checkout of the hotel. Travel to Tel Maresha / Beit Guvrin in the area of King Herod the Great’s ancestral home, and participate in an archaeological dig. This hands-on experience includes digging, sifting, pottery examination, and a tour in Beit Guvrin National Park with an exciting crawl through unexcavated cave systems. Continue to Yad La Shiryon at Latrun, Israel’s official Armored Corp memorial for fallen soldiers with an open-air museum, featuring more than 200 tanks and military vehicles dating back to WWI. Explore the museum, learn about its location, and history as a major battleground of Biblical Joshua’s time and during the War of Independence. Return to the hotel for your farewell dinner.

Overnight: Jerusalem.

Unfortunately, your journey has come to an end. Check-out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your international return flight. It’s a long flight, however, home is at the other end.